New S&W 19

Folks,
I just procured a like-new Model 19, 6" Blue in Excellent Condition. Paid $550 plus tax. This piece does not show any wear from use. Had been looking for one for some time. Does anybody know how I can find the DOM for S/N AEF1912? When I went to the shop, and looked in the showcase, I didn't see any Model 19's, but when I asked, the owner said "oh, that's in the safe" (not on display). He pulled it out and I was amazed of the excellent condition of it. Very tight and showed no visible signs of being fired. The shop owner said the M19's are collectables, so he kept it in the safe.

What do you think? Did I get a good deal for an EC M19? Anybody know the DOM for S/N AEF1912?

A little more info would be helpful. Guessing by the S/N given I would say 1984, reluctantly. If its in that era it would be stamped either a 19-5 or 19-6 on the yoke. (Lower the cylinder and look for these numbers on the frame)

As for the price it sounds a little high but you don't mention if you got the factory grips, box, tools, paper etc.

If you are going to shoot it, do NOT fire 357's loaded with 125g bullets as there is the potential of cracking the forcing cone. Moderate firing of 357's loaded with 158g bullets are ok per see. These guns as you may know are known as 38 pistols that can moderately fire 357 mags.

As for collector items.... I would not consider them to be there, yet. Even so that would be the earlier production P/R models 19 no dash or 19-1 for example.

All being said in contradiction though, they are fine guns none the less. Enjoy it! The model 19's have been out of production since 1999

A little more info would be helpful. Guessing by the S/N given I would say 1984, reluctantly. If its in that era it would be stamped either a 19-5 or 19-6 on the yoke. (Lower the cylinder and look for these numbers on the frame)

As for the price it sounds a little high but you don't mention if you got the factory grips, box, tools, paper etc.

If you are going to shoot it, do NOT fire 357's loaded with 125g bullets as there is the potential of cracking the forcing cone. Moderate firing of 357's loaded with 158g bullets are ok per see. These guns as you may know are known as 38 pistols that can moderately fire 357 mags.

As for collector items.... I would not consider them to be there, yet. Even so that would be the earlier production P/R models 19 no dash or 19-1 for example.

All being said in contradiction though, they are fine guns none the less. Enjoy it! The model 19's have been out of production since 1999

Click to expand...

To my knowledge, factory grips. There is a MOD 19-5 stamping on the frame. There was no box or manual, just the handgun. The owner indicated this one is a little unusual because the front site has a red insert, not the standard black serrated front sight.

A little more info would be helpful. Guessing by the S/N given I would say 1984, reluctantly. If its in that era it would be stamped either a 19-5 or 19-6 on the yoke. (Lower the cylinder and look for these numbers on the frame)

As for the price it sounds a little high but you don't mention if you got the factory grips, box, tools, paper etc.

If you are going to shoot it, do NOT fire 357's loaded with 125g bullets as there is the potential of cracking the forcing cone. Moderate firing of 357's loaded with 158g bullets are ok per see. These guns as you may know are known as 38 pistols that can moderately fire 357 mags.

As for collector items.... I would not consider them to be there, yet. Even so that would be the earlier production P/R models 19 no dash or 19-1 for example.

All being said in contradiction though, they are fine guns none the less. Enjoy it! The model 19's have been out of production since 1999

Click to expand...

Bboomer,
The S&W website says not to use Magnum loads smaller than 120 grains, yet your statement above about using 357's loaded with 125g bullets are a problem. Your 125 grain statement appears to conflict with S&Ws manuals. Please elaborate. Have you experienced or know of a problem using 125g 357 ammo? 130 grain .357s are commonly available at Wallyworld, but the S&W manuals would definitely overrule the use of WWB 110gr .357 ammo.

Bboomer,
The S&W website says not to use Magnum loads smaller than 120 grains, yet your statement above about using 357's loaded with 125g bullets are a problem. Your 125 grain statement appears to conflict with S&Ws manuals. Please elaborate.

I've owned a 2.5" M19 P/R for about a year now. Since picking it up I've learned a lot about them., from the WWW. The general consensus (do a google) is that the M19's were not designed to shoot loads of today. They are too hot, the M19 was not designed for these hotter 125g loads as there's a potential problem for cracking the forcing cone. So if you wanna shoot full house magnums shoot 158 grainers. I myself, heed to what I read. I love the ole K frame. Due to my understanding, I won't feed it much of a Magnum diet. 38's/+P's are just as fun and a whole lot less stress on the weapon anyway.

In contrast to the old manual as in comparison to the modern times of todays ammo, I tend to digest and adhere to the majority relegation of said facts.

At any rate:
The place to look, open the cylinder, look at where the forcing cone has that flattened area. Thats where (they say) a hairline fracture will present itself.

Have you experienced or know of a problem using 125g 357 ammo? 130 grain .357s are commonly available at Wallyworld, but the S&W manuals would definitely overrule the use of WWB 110gr .357 ammo.

My objective here was to present and to make known, the possibility that the M19 can be damaged buy firing certain loads. Have I experienced this? No. Am I an authority on the subject? No

....just trying to help ya preserve your new toy. Uh, BTW any 38 type ammo will be just fine to shoot.

Thanks, BBoomer. I haven't fired my 19 yet. Every .357 I've ever fired (thru my Dan Wesson M15-2) has been 158 grain SWC. In the 30 years I've owned that, I've probably put no more than 150 rounds of .357 thru it, and maybe 250 rounds of .38SP. Just put a 6 inch barrel on my DW. Did some dry-firing comparison between the 2 and the S&W feels like it has a smoother DA trigger and a lower trigger weight than the DW. I'll try to post a pic of my two.

Thanks, BBoomer. I haven't fired my 19 yet. Every .357 I've ever fired (thru my Dan Wesson M15-2) has been 158 grain SWC. In the 30 years I've owned that, I've probably put no more than 150 rounds of .357 thru it, and maybe 250 rounds of .38SP. Just put a 6 inch barrel on my DW. Did some dry-firing comparison between the 2 and the S&W feels like it has a smoother DA trigger and a lower trigger weight than the DW.

I have a Model 66, the SS version of the 19. I bought it used and it soon developed a cycling difficulty. I took it to a local gunsmith who is a S&W specialist and he found a crack in the forcing cone. We sent it to the factory and they replaced the barrel with a new 2.5" and tuned things up. I still shoot 125 gr bullets, mostly cast truncated cone for practice but for carry purposes I use 125 gr AND 158 gr Hornady XTPs. I load my own so I do reduce down from max loads and have had no problems since and I have send hundreds of rounds downrange with that lil beaut. I did speak with a S&W factory rep after I got my 66 back and was told that the gun would easily handle full power loads, just not a steady diet of them as it could lead to some stretching of the frame.

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